When preemie parents meet, one of the first questions is always, "How is he/she doing now."

I have come to realize that is an extremely loaded question, and the answers are completely relative.

I was asked this recently, my first answer was "Taylor is doing GREAT!" I then went on to tell the inquirer all the breakthroughs of recent months. Taylor has finally begun to eat solid food, and we have been able to stop his feeding therapy. We have said goodbye to diapers.  And full sentences have emerged.

"That is so great!" was the reply...."and how old is he?"

Taylor will be six years old next month. It was then that I realized to most people, these boastings would not be good news.  For me, the last few months have been great victories, and cause for celebration.

I have always considered Taylor to be a success story, and an inspiration to other preemie parents.  It wasn't till recently that I realized that some might be scared by our results.

I remember reading somewhere a personal account that has always stuck with me.  It was about a preemie baby and the parents struggle to deal with it.  The account ended saying that early in our pregnancy, we pray for a healthy normal child.... and we got it... it just took a lot longer than usual. 

That is how I view Taylor.  I see him as a success story... it has just taken us a lot longer than most. He still has some struggles, but each day they become less and less.   His teachers predict that by second grade he will be in a regular class.  He even shows some signs of giftedness in visual learning areas.

I hope that most preemie parents can find inspiration in Taylor's life, and see that despite the fact that it has taken a long time.. he is winning the battle!

Tammy, Mom to:
Taylor (born at 28 wks, now 5 yrs. 11 mo.),
Taylor's identical twin, and guardian angel - Alex,
and Travis (full term, now 4 yrs.).
Wife to Gary (finally assigned to shore duty).